Will discuss with nationalized banks on farm loan waiver: CM
Bengaluru, June 19: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he would shortly hold a meeting with the heads of all nationalized banks and their officers to discuss on waiving off the farm loans scientifically.
Speaking at a Meet the Press organized by the Bengaluru Press Club and Reporters Guild here on Tuesday, the CM said that he would not backtrack from his promise of loan waiver. Within couple of days, he would convene a meeting of the heads and officials of the nationalized banks and discuss the formalities. The benefit of the loan waiver should reach the farmers completely, he said.
With an intention of easing the burden on common people because of the farm loan waiver, he is planning to accumulate the money in different sources and check the misusing the funds in government schemes, he said.
“During the NITI Aayog meeting, I have appraised the Prime Minister of the present situation in the state and asked financial assistance from the centre to waive off the farm loans. I have asked the financial assistance from the centre just to know the morality of the PM and not as escapism. I have done my duty as the CM and it is left to them”, he said.
When asked about his statement that ‘no one could touch him for next one year’, Kumaraswamy said that the JDS-Congress coalition government would complete five years term. There is no need to panic over the future of this government. But he answered the question as the media has that doubt, he said.
Village stay
Village stay programme which he began when he was the chief minister for 20 months had got good response from the people. As a servant of people, he had tried to understand the problems of common people through village stay programmes. He would continue that programme to find out the problems and provide solutions, he said.
Checking squandering of money
“I have asked the officials to reduce my security. But they denied my proposal saying that it is the protocol for a CM. So, till now, I am under the security cordon. But I have decided not to waste the public money. I have used general class flight to go to Delhi instead of special flights”, he said.
Budget in July
He would present the coalition government budget in July. Prior to this, he would conduct the cabinet meeting to discuss on Budget. Discussions on farm loan waiver would be held in that cabinet meeting, he said.
The Chief Minister said that media should throw light on burning issues in the state and draw the attention of the government. This would help the government on what to do and what not to do. Development of the state could be possible only when both the sides join hands together. It is because of media, Kumaraswamy is still in politics and because of the media, he was alive when he was in opposition position, the CM said.
‘Not complained, followed Rajadharma’
“When I met AICC president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, I have not discussed anything about Congress leaders. I have got the suggestions only on following the Rajadharma of coalition government. But it is not fair to level allegation against me that I have complained against Congress leaders”.
HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister
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CCI slaps Meta with Rs 213 crore fine over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update
New Delhi, Nov 18: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on social media major Meta for unfair business ways with respect to WhatsApp privacy policy update done in 2021.
Besides, the competition watchdog has directed Meta to “cease and desist” from anti-competitive practices.
Meta and WhatsApp have also been asked to implement certain behavioural remedies within a defined timeline to address the anti-competition issues, according to a CCI order.
The regulator has called for implementing various remedial measures, including barring WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta company products for advertising purposes for five years.
Among other directions, CCI has said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.
The Competition Commission of India (Commission) on Monday imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for abusing its dominant position,
Passing the order against abuse of dominance, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said this (penalty) relates to how WhatsApp's 2021 Privacy Policy was implemented and how user data was collected and shared with other Meta companies.
For the case, CCI delineated two relevant markets -- OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India, and online display advertising in India. "Meta Group operating through WhatsApp was found to be dominant in the market for OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India. "Furthermore, it was also found that Meta holds a leading position compared to its competitors in online display advertising in India," CCI said in a release.
Starting from January 2021, WhatsApp notified users about updates to its terms of service and privacy policies.
The in-app notification, effective from February 8, 2021, stated that users were required to accept these terms, including expanded scope of data collection as well as mandatory data sharing with Meta companies, to continue using WhatsApp.
Under the previous privacy policy dated August 25, 2016, WhatsApp users were given the option to decide whether they wanted to share their data with Facebook, the release said.
"However, with the latest policy update in 2021, WhatsApp made data sharing with Meta mandatory for all users, removing the earlier option to opt-out. As a result, users had to accept the new terms, which include data sharing with Meta, in order to continue using the platform," it added.
The watchdog has concluded that the 2021 policy update by WhatsApp on a "take-it-or-leave-it" basis constitutes an imposition of unfair condition under the Competition Act, as it compels all users to accept expanded data collection terms and sharing of data within Meta Group without any opt out.
"Given the network effects and lack of effective alternatives, the 2021 update forces users to comply, undermining their autonomy, and constitutes an abuse of Meta's dominant position. Accordingly, the Commission finds that Meta (through WhatsApp) has contravened Section 4(2)(a)(i) of the Act," it said.
Further, CCI said that sharing of WhatsApp users' data between Meta companies for purposes other than providing WhatsApp Service creates an entry barrier for the rivals of Meta and thus, results in denial of market access in the display advertisement market.
According to the regulator, Meta has engaged in leveraging its dominant position in the OTT messaging apps through smartphones to protect its position in the online display advertising market in contravention of the competition law.
CCI has barred WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta company products for advertising purposes for five years and the debarment period will start from the date of receipt of this order.
With respect to sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than advertising, the regulator said WhatsApp's policy should include a detailed explanation of the user data shared with other Meta companies or Meta company Products.
"This explanation should specify the purpose of data sharing, linking each type of data to its corresponding purpose," it said.
The watchdog also said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.
Regarding sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services, CCI said all users in India (including users who have accepted 2021 update) will be provided with the choice to manage such data sharing by way of an opt-out option prominently through an in-app notification.
Also, the regulator has asked for the option to review and modify their choice with respect to such sharing of data through a prominent tab in settings of WhatsApp application, and all future policy updates should comply with these requirements.
